Aluminum valve cover option when running MSD cap-adapt?

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Jeremiah (jd) said:
Well, it appears that I am very adept at solving one problem only to create another
: D

My original '68 GTS valve covers have never wanted to seal up, no matter the gasket used, on my 440 Source heads (1.560 OD springs).

To mitigate the issue I purchased cast aluminum valve covers from Mancini (I would not recommend this product based on quality).

MRE - Aluminum Valve Cover Set

In anticipation of having less clearance I also sourced a tall deck MSD distributor with the low deck adapter to gain addition clearance. I knew it would be tight because the OE steel vc's, MSD w/big cap on my lowdeck sist cleared by -.0005 or so.

After many hours correcting various design flaws I attemped to install them today only to find that they interfere with the MSD cap-adapt : /

At this point my available options are:

a) section my cast valve cover to clear the distributor

OR

b) attempt to use the blue anodized DC valve covers that I cannot sell

Both sets of covers will use blue Moroso steel core gaskets which have been my go-to for many years (or the black rubberized cork Fel Pro).

If anyone has additional ideas I'm open to suggestions.

Help my get the Pilgrim back to the track! I want wheelies in 2025 : D

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Nice work! I'll only use a thick cast or billet cover anymore. I'd still put a crank trigger on it, I put that sxxt on everything.
 
ValiantS said:
Nice work! I'll only use a thick cast or billet cover anymore. I'd still put a crank trigger on it, I put that sxxt on everything.
Click to expand...

The next time this thing comes apart it's getting a belt drive, crank trigger, electric w/p and a fancy alternator. Don't worry I saved the pieces to weld back into my valve cover LOL
 
Jeremiah (jd) said:
The next time this thing comes apart it's getting a belt drive
Click to expand...

You do know you have to grind this boss down in the front of the block like this for a belt drive to fit?

Tom

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PROSTOCKTOM said:
You do know you have to grind this boss down in the front of the block like this for a belt drive to fit?

Tom

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Yes sir. 499 for my black charger with the Lenco as a Jesel setup. The 511 in this car was originally slated for the black car before it's 451 split a cylinder and is also clearanced for the belt drive. Should have listened to Sean and installed tge first time : D
 
Jeremiah (jd) said:
Yes sir. 499 for my black charger with the Lenco as a Jesel setup. The 511 in this car was originally slated for the black car before it's 451 split a cylinder and is also clearanced for the belt drive. Should have listened to Sean and installed tge first time : D
Click to expand...

I just grind the bosses down on any block I deburr. Might as well make them ready for a belt drive whether they get one or not.


Tom
 

TT5.9mag said:
Not only cast aluminum but cast aluminum that’s been soaked in oil its entire life. Fun fun.
Click to expand...
Yep, I did some work on a customers janky old die cast BBC valve covers after he destroyed them drunk lol .
They had so much junk in the pores I almost gave up
 
I guess 1st shift is starting early today : /

Oh well, it all pays the same : D

I attached q few pictures of the sealing surface of my Mancini covers. You will norice the void I filled with now shrunken JB weld. I added some pictures of ancient and somewhat ancient Indy covers for comparison. Neither one of the Indy covers I have is even close to flat. I'll fly cut them prior to use.

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I used to run into issues with my indy valve covers on my low deck indy aluminum block which accepts the tall deck MSD distributor. When I ran valve cover studs, I would have to either pull the distributor to get the valve cover off, or pull the studs out of the head. I since switched to transdapt bolt/stud combo and it works much better. But you did a great modification to the valve cover to make it work better for you as the adapter distributor cap clearly is an interference issue. Thanks for posting. Can't wait to hear the outcome of this combo.
 
My friends Hemi Mike and Hemi Linda hooked us up! They were nice enough to drive all of the way up here to no mans land to pick up a TIG welding job.

I would not get anywhere on these projects without the gracious support of a select few. : D

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Jeremiah (jd) said:
No sir. The covers on my GTS came from Mancini and now appear to be available from 440 Source. The gasket sealing surface needs work OOTB. I will poat pictures on 1st shift. The valve covers in your link are Indy knock offs. I have an as-cast set on my MW victor engine.

Cast Aluminum Black Valve Covers (Pair)

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Heysus Cristo , those are some sweet welds.
 
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